After hearing Chen Ze's explanation, Dugu Bo stepped out of the darkness. "That sounds more like something Yu Luomian did on his own."
"I made some inquiries. During the two months you were away, Heaven Dou Royal Academy and the Duke's Mansion were both looking for you. They even raised your reputation to extraordinary heights."
"Yu Luomian used that to pressure you into yielding. I imagine he wants to recruit you. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's internal affairs are complicated; I can't explain them in a few words. Suffice it to say, Yu Luomian wants to lash you to his war chariot. Be careful, and don't fall into his trap."
As Chen Ze listened to Dugu Bo's analysis, he realized that his actions had put Qin Yuan over the fire to roast. If anything went wrong, the blame would be his.
After a pause, he cupped his hands and asked, "May I ask your name, Senior? And how can I help my boss out of this predicament?"
Dugu Bo laughed heartily and waved a hand. "With me here, Yu Luomian's petty schemes will never see the light of day!"
With that, he turned and left.
Qin Yuan patted Chen Ze's shoulder. "You didn't do anything wrong, but be more careful from now on. That senior is Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo. Don't worry. With him involved, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan won't dare act rashly."
Chen Ze stared after Qin Yuan, rooted to the spot. For a long while, he could not collect himself.
It seemed that in just two years, Qin Yuan had reached circles Chen Ze had never even imagined.
Who could live in Heaven Dou City for long and not know of Dugu Bo?
Qin Yuan knew a powerhouse like him, and Dugu Bo was even willing to help. Was this the personal charm Qin Yuan had once spoken of?
On the streets of Heaven Dou City, late at night.
On nights without a gathering, the city's residents went to bed early. Most of those still walking the streets were City Guard soldiers.
Dugu Bo strolled alongside Qin Yuan as he shared his thoughts. "In my view, Yu Luomian did this without Yu Yuanzhen's approval. He can't speak for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, so don't worry too much."
"Those brothers, Yu Yuanzhen and Yu Luomian, are complete opposites. Yu Luomian is petty and arrogant. Yu Yuanzhen, on the other hand, could fairly be called an upright gentleman."
Dugu Bo let out a soft sigh. "Their opposing temperaments actually suit the task of governing a sect."
"The elder brother, Yu Yuanzhen, is suited to keeping things stable at home, while Yu Luomian excels at 'opening new frontiers' abroad!"
Yu Luomian simply lacked the talent. If he, too, were a Titled Douluo, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan might be even stronger today, without such a gap between generations of talent.
Among the clan's older powerhouses, Yu Yuanzhen was now the only Titled Douluo. No exceptionally talented disciples had emerged from the younger generation. How could the clan not be anxious?
The rumors spread by Heaven Dou Royal Academy and the Duke's Mansion had drawn Yu Luomian's attention to Qin Yuan. Believing Qin Yuan had the potential to become a Titled Douluo, he had seized the chance to recruit him.
"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has always used both favors and threats to recruit talent," Dugu Bo continued. "But Yu Luomian picked the wrong man this time. I'll give him a proper thrashing!"
In the past, Dugu Bo had been a low-level Titled Douluo, troubled by poison besides. Yu Luomian had never taken him seriously.
Now Dugu Bo had not only freed himself from the poison but had also reached Level 94. It was time to show Yu Luomian who outranked whom!
Dugu Bo also urgently needed a victory to announce his breakthrough to the world.
This time, he was helping Qin Yuan, but he was looking out for himself even more.
Early the next morning.
After learning that Qin Yuan had returned, Yu Luomian sent someone to deliver an invitation, asking him to meet at a restaurant in the city.
According to his informants, Qin Yuan was quite close to Dugu Bo.
Truth be told, Yu Luomian felt uneasy.
Only when Qin Yuan arrived alone did he relax.
Yu Luomian had prepared a lavish meal in a private room. He was determined to win Qin Yuan over today!
When Qin Yuan arrived, they exchanged greetings and sat down at the table.
Qin Yuan ignored Yu Luomian's unending talk and calmly began eating.
He was well versed in poisons and could naturally tell whether Yu Luomian had poisoned the food.
To Yu Luomian, his behavior seemed utterly outrageous!
He answered none of the questions, only kept eating. Had a starving ghost been reborn in his body?
Without changing expression, Yu Luomian beckoned. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan disciples waiting outside quietly shut the door and slid the bolt into place. No one was to enter or leave.
Qin Yuan's senses were exceptionally sharp. He swallowed his food, picked up the napkin beside him, and wiped the crumbs from his lips.
He raised his head slightly and smiled at Yu Luomian. "Vice Sect Master Yu, would I have dared come to this Hongmen Banquet without making preparations?"
He stood and cupped his hands, not a trace of panic in his eyes. "Thank you for the meal, Vice Sect Master Yu. I'm very satisfied. Here's what we'll do: pay me triple the outstanding balance and release my people, and I'll let the matter drop."
He gave a sudden smile, his eyes full of warning. "Oh, and Vice Sect Master Yu had better pray his men kept their hands clean. If anything has happened to my people, this won't be so easily settled."
That made Yu Luomian laugh.
He admitted Qin Yuan had some nerve, but Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan disciples had surrounded the place.
However strong Qin Yuan was, could he be stronger than Yu Luomian, a Soul Douluo?
Yu Luomian did not lose his temper. Instead, he lost interest in Qin Yuan.
Just an arrogant nobody without a shred of judgment. Perhaps the rumors were false, a trap set for him by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and other forces.
Yu Luomian folded his arms and leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Kill him."
At his command, several Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan disciples rushed out from behind the screen.
Without a word, they turned their weapons on Qin Yuan, intent on taking his life.
Yu Luomian doubted Qin Yuan was particularly strong. He was merely a low-level Spirit Emperor. The ten Spirit Emperors Yu Luomian had arranged would be more than enough to kill him!
Qin Yuan remained as calm and composed as ever. The instant the disciples charged, Divine Slaughter's Domain spread outward from his body.
To those disciples, Qin Yuan looked like a demon from hell. Piercing cold wrapped around them, plunging them into an icy abyss and robbing them of all power to resist.
"Such powerful killing intent!"
Yu Luomian's eyes snapped open.
There stood Qin Yuan, alone with his blade. Raging flames poured from the Battle Blade in his hand and merged with Divine Slaughter's Domain. Cold and heat converged, their combined power impossible to underestimate.
His blade was lightning-fast. In the space of a single breath, he severed an arm from each of the ten disciples!
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